Department of Labor Annouces 2012 Summer Jobs Program

March 5, 2012

by Neil Bomberg

Cities and towns across the United States can become part of a solution to put America's young people to work by participating in Summer Jobs+, a White House initiative that is being implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Governments, along with non-profits and businesses, can help put young people to work by choosing at least one of the following three pathways to employment for low-income youth:

• First, cities and towns can provide youth with "life skills" training - work-related soft skills, such as communication, time management and teamwork, through coursework and experience. This includes resume-writing or interview workshops and mentorship programs.

• They can also provide "work skills" training - insights into the world of work that prepares youth for employment through job shadowing and internships.

• Or they can provide young people with "learn and earn" training, more commonly known as on-the-job training.

No matter which approach or approaches a city adopts, it can make a huge difference in the lives of young people by providing them with a summer experience and income that is likely to positively impact their understanding of the world of work.

Details: A city or town interested in becoming part of this national movement to put hundreds of thousands of disadvantaged young people to work this summer should go to the Department of Labor's website at www.dol.gov/summerjobs/Employers.htm for more information. There, city leaders will find a listing of those governments that have committed to providing jobs, and a toolkit that can help implement the program at home.